Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Note: Sorry for the long wait. This story is nearing its end and though I already know how it will end I've developed kind of a writer's block of how to get there. It might take another week until I post the next chapter. Until then, enjoy this one.

Chapter 38:

"I think we don't need to talk about who can behave better at the table", said the head of the elder's council with a contemptuous glance at Renji. "Then let us pass now onto the last challenge. To the music room."

Several rows of velvet padded chairs had been set up behind the grand piano. The lot decided that Reki should go first, so he settled down on the stool and placed his hands above the keys.

The last chatter died down when he struck the first sweet notes. He played a piece from Schumann and he did it with accomplished graceful movements to the point of perfection.

Shihana found herself wondering against her will whether Renji would indeed lose. Her heart ached when she thought at his furious face at dinner. He had messed things up because of his overwhelming urge to protect her. She asked herself desperately what she should do when she would be forced to marry Reki. It wouldn't do justice to the both of them.

The last sounds still hung in the room when the listeners broke into polite applause.

Reki stood up and bowed. Then he took his seat, already with the hint of a victorious smile on his lips.

Renji walked up to the side of the grand piano. As Byakuya stood up and sat down at the piano, whispers grew loud.

"What is this?", asked Leiko indignantly. "Could you explain why you are sitting at the grand piano right now, Byakuya-sama?"

"As Abarai-fukutaichou will perform a song, I am merely accompanying him on the piano. I do not believe we agreed on this to be forbidden?"

The elders shook their heads.

"Please let us hear this song", said the speaker of the council.

Renji felt his hands shake and willed himself to calm down. He felt his taichou's familiar tightly leashed reiatsu near him. His eyes sought Shihana's in the crowd of spectators and found her concerned and hopeful look.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

Byakuya's hands struck the first keys and Renji began to sing.

Rukia observed her old friend how he stood next to the highly polished surface of the instrument as his voice filled the room. Regret hit her for a second that this wasn't for her. For a fleeting moment she remembered the soft feel of his lips on hers and how it felt to be safely carried in those strong arms. Then the image blurred and was replaced by Ichigo's face, full of stubborn resolve. She had to suppress a giggle when she imagined Ichigo in Renji's place now and immediately his scowling expression came to mind that he would wear when telling her to 'shut the fuck up' and let him out of her 'stupid fantasies'.

Shihana bit back tears. She might die of a broken heart, she thought overly-dramatic, if she couldn't be with him.

In a daze, she barely noticed that the song had ended and again polite applause was heard.

The elders began to whisper amongst themselves. Everybody was surprised, when an elderly woman spoke up.

"Though Reki-kun has shown a perfect performance, clearly Abarai-kun must be proclaimed the winner."

"Indeed", confirmed the usual speaker of the council. "But that puts us into a dilemma, because then the score will be even."

"Perhaps we should have another discipline?", proposed an uncle.

A few heads turned when a bowing servant opened the door. An embarrassed young man in the uniform of a stable-boy stood behind him.

"Um, e-excuse me for disturbing you", he stuttered, bowing deeply. "But I thought you might want to know."

"Know what?", demanded Byakuya. The boy shied away from his gaze and blushed.

"S-sorry, Byakuya-sama, I shouldn't have..."

"Just tell us already", said Shihoin Yashin a bit impatient but gentle.

"It is just...", the boy mumbled, "the chestnut Abarai-sama rode. It had a bramble stuck under its saddle. The wound is raw and inflamed."

A shocked silence settled over the crowd.

Then Reki stepped up to his mother. His face was a mask of pure rage.

"I cannot believe your insolence!", he cried. "Do you have so little faith in my skills? To steep so low just to ensure the victory I would have reached with my own strength anyway! Stop treating me like a child already!"

Leiko stared at her son in disbelief. Then she sniffed. "But I just meant well", she said with a tearful voice. "I tried to help you. Why don't you show a little gratitude?"

Just when Reki wanted to give her a snappy retort, the speaker of the elder's council interrupted them.

"Am I to take it that the bramble was your doing, Shihoin Leiko?", he said with an icy voice.

Reki's mother nodded and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

"Then", continued the elder, "we shall call this competition null and void. We will not allow deceit. The Shihoin family has proven itself unworthy of our attention. I declare that we will no more prohibit the marriage of Kuchiki Shihana and Abarai Renji who has proven himself to be a man most devoted to our kinswoman. The elder council will not object. Now I bid you to leave our property, Shihoin Reki, Shihoin Leiko, Shihoin Yashin."

Yashin took the arm of his wife and laid a soothing hand on his son's shoulder. They slowly moved towards the door.

Reki turned around and gazed at Shihana, an apologetic look on his face.

"I apologize for the behaviour of my mother", he said formally. "I would have been very honoured to have called you my wife, Kuchiki Shihana. Yet Abarai-kun proved that he is the better man. I admit defeat and wish you my best."

"Thank you, Reki-san", whispered Shihana and graced him with a very small, very sad smile.

A warm hand wrapped around hers and she looked up to see Renji standing next to her.

"I guess he isn't a bad guy, after all", he said and grinned.

"Now when is that wedding-eve party gonna be?", asked Rukia from behind them and the three of them started to laugh.

It was hard to imagine them not getting together, right? So the next chapter will be the wedding eve party. If you've some ideas what you'd like to see there, please let me know. As always, review!